Route 62 is South Africa's answer to the American open road, an 850-kilometer ribbon of tarmac linking Cape Town to Port Elizabeth through the Western and Eastern Cape. It winds through the Breede River Valley and the Klein Karoo, passing dramatic mountain passes, vineyards, fruit orchards, and semi-arid Karoo landscapes colored by red soil and indigenous fynbos. The route threads together small towns with big personalities: Robertson for wine and roses, Montagu for hot mineral springs and Cape Dutch architecture, Calitzdorp for award-winning port-style wines, and Oudtshoorn for ostriches, the ancient Cango Caves, and views of the towering Swartberg Mountains. It's a self-drive journey built around slow travel, cellar doors, and roadside farm stalls selling droewors, biltong, and dried fruit.
The sweet spot for driving Route 62 runs from early March through late May, and again from mid-August through early November. The autumn window (March to May) is especially rewarding: grape harvest is wrapping up across the winelands, the fierce summer heat has eased, rain is scarce, and accommodation deals are easy to find as tourist numbers thin out. The spring window from mid-August onward brings wildflowers, comfortable temperatures, and longer days. A brief stretch in late February can dip in conditions, so plan around it. If you only have one week to commit, April is the standout month: warm, dry, and uncrowded.
Fall in Route 62, South Africa
March marks the tail end of the grape harvest across the Breede River Valley, and you'll find cellar doors in Robertson and Ashton at their liveliest. Afternoons are warm at 78.7°F (25.9°C), perfect for lingering over a tasting flight of chardonnay or syrah before moving on to the next town. The roadside farm stalls between Worcester and Robertson are stocked with fresh seasonal fruit, and Montagu's famous Saturday village market is a great reason to plan a Friday night arrival in town. Rain is rare this time of year, with precipitation falling on just a handful of days across the entire season.
By April, the Klein Karoo's colors shift toward gold and amber as nights cool to 52.2°F (11.2°C). Mornings feel crisp enough for a light jacket, but by midday you can hike the Swartberg Pass or explore the Cango Caves in shirt sleeves. Freedom Day in late April occasionally brings a long weekend, so book Oudtshoorn accommodation in advance if your dates overlap. Tourism runs fairly slow during autumn, and you'll find accommodation deals along the entire route.
May brings the quietest stretch of the season and some of the driest air you'll feel all year, with humidity dropping noticeably. Workers' Day in early May can draw domestic travelers for a quick getaway, but the roads remain clear for the most part. Pack layers: warm afternoons still call for sunscreen and a hat, while evening temperatures dip enough to appreciate a fireside dinner at one of Barrydale's restaurants.
Winter in Route 62, South Africa
Winter along Route 62 defies the usual dreary expectations. Days are bright and clear, with highs reaching 74°F (23.3°C) under wide Karoo skies. June and July are among the driest months of the year, so you can count on crisp blue mornings for mountain pass drives. The Calitzdorp Port Festival, held annually in June, transforms this tiny Klein Karoo village into a celebration of South Africa's port-style wines, with tastings across multiple cellars and plenty of local food pairings. Youth Day in mid-to-late June can add a domestic travel bump, so plan ahead if you're visiting that weekend.
Evenings cool sharply, though, with lows dropping to 43.7°F (6.5°C). Bring a warm fleece and a decent jacket for after-dark walks through towns like Montagu and Robertson. The shorter days (around ten and a half hours of light in June and July) mean earlier sunsets, so plan outdoor activities for the morning and save the cellar visits for afternoon. The hot mineral springs in Montagu are at their most appealing when the night air has a real bite to it.
Winter is the busiest tourism season along Route 62, which means accommodation prices run higher than usual and popular guesthouses in Oudtshoorn book well in advance. The Cango Caves remain a comfortable temperature year-round, making them a reliable activity regardless of the chill above ground. Don't forget sun protection even in winter; the Klein Karoo sun can be deceptively strong at this latitude.
Spring in Route 62, South Africa
Spring arrives gradually along Route 62, with fynbos and wildflowers beginning to color the roadsides from September onward. The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester showcases fascinating succulent species against the backdrop of the Hex River Mountains, and the surrounding landscape feels newly green. Heritage Day in late September gives South Africans a long weekend, making it a popular time for domestic road trips along the route. Highs climb to 80.9°F (27.2°C), warm enough for comfortable hiking on the mountain passes that wind between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert.
October can surprise you with sudden cold fronts that sweep in just when you've packed away your jacket, so keep a light layer accessible. Showers become more likely as the season progresses, with rain falling on up to four days during November. Lows sit at 54.5°F (12.5°C), mild enough for early morning meerkat tours near Oudtshoorn or birding excursions to spot the endangered Blue Crane along dams and wetlands. The vineyards and fruit farms from Robertson through to Montagu burst into blossom from October onward, creating a photogenic backdrop for the drive.
Tourism picks up as the second busiest period of the year, and accommodation prices tick slightly higher than autumn. The lengthening days give you more road time; by November, you'll enjoy over 13 hours of daylight. Spring is also ideal for pairing a Route 62 drive with a Garden Route extension, crossing from Oudtshoorn to George via the Outeniqua Pass while conditions are still comfortable.
Summer in Route 62, South Africa
Summer along Route 62 brings the most intense heat of the year, with average highs of 84°F (28.9°C) and overnight lows that stay warm at 60.1°F (15.6°C). Early February pushes peak temperatures to 85.8°F (29.9°C), with overnight lows of 59.8°F (15.4°C), and the dry Karoo landscape shimmers in the midday sun. Despite the heat, this is actually the quietest tourism season on the route, meaning you'll have wine estates, farm stalls, and even the Cango Caves largely to yourself. The fruit orchards around Montagu, Wellington, and the Tradouw Valley overflow with ripe stone fruit, and roadside stalls sell fresh peaches, apricots, and plums at their seasonal peak.
December is the wettest month, with the highest chance of significant rainfall across the year. Afternoon thunderstorms can roll in quickly, so keep a waterproof bag in the car for camera gear. Humidity rises, particularly in January and February, which can make the heat feel sticky during midday hours. Start your driving early; the first light of the long summer days comes before 5:15 AM, giving you cool morning hours for tackling mountain passes before the heat builds.
New Year's Day brings a festive atmosphere to the small towns, and late December public holidays (Day of Reconciliation, Christmas, and Day of Goodwill) see domestic visitors heading out for family road trips. Accommodation in Oudtshoorn and Robertson can fill up around the Christmas to New Year's stretch despite summer being otherwise quiet. Pack a broad-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and plenty of water for any outdoor walking, as shade is scarce across the open Karoo stretches.
At a Glance
Monthly weather, visitor crowds, air quality, holidays, and daylight hours to help you plan your trip.
Travel Tips & Safety for Route 62, South Africa
Route 62 is best experienced as a self-drive road trip, and the road itself is well-maintained tarmac with far less truck traffic than the N2 highway. Most travelers start from Cape Town and work eastward toward Oudtshoorn or George over three to five days, though you can easily extend the journey for a week or more if you want to linger in the wine towns. Fuel stations are spaced reasonably along the route, but fill up whenever you see one, especially before crossing the longer stretches through the Klein Karoo.
Always carry a hat and sunblock regardless of the season; the Klein Karoo sun is strong year-round and can burn even on overcast winter days. Keep car snacks and water handy, as some sections between towns have limited services. Exercise normal precautions with valuables: lock your car when stopping at viewpoints, and avoid leaving bags visible on the seats.